The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself.Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900), The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891

Often the best way to overcome desire is to satisfy it.W. Somerset Maugham (1874 - 1965), The Razor's Edge, 1943

Now I LOVE Oscar Wilde, his plays, his short stories, his children's stories, etc

I now have a couple of the Gyles Brandreth novels. I went to an event that Gyles was speaking at (he was talking on Oscar Wilde at the V&A). Gyles was simply brilliant and so I bought a couple of the books and had them signed by him. I have:- Oscar Wilde and the Candlelight Murders, 2007- Oscar Wilde and the Ring of Death, 2008- Oscar Wilde and the Dead Man's Smile, 2009

BUT, and this is where I get embarrassed, my reading has taken a back seat over the last year and although I bought these books in Summer 2011 I still have not read a single one of them. In fact, the only new book I read last year was Philip Pullman's The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ. I reread some old favourites in 2011 but not a single new book :(

That said, many people who have read these books have recommended them to me, so I do want to read them.

I've actually read all the Brandreth books (started in French, shame on me, before switching in English). I find them very good, for the storyline but also the characters. Now, as I said, I'm not that familiar with Wilde's work, so maybe a real fan might not get "in" the books. But if you liked Gyles talking on Wilde, then I believe that you might actually enjoy the books!

(and I feel for the reading, I have the same problem myself. Try to catch up on my daily train travels, but it seems to be a never ending story! Whenever I read one book, I buy two new ones...)

I think it is a tragedy and an absolute outrage that we effectively humiliated, destroyed, and killed off one of our greatest writers and playwrights ever purely because he had a gay relationship (which was both loving and serious).

Wilde went from being adored and worshipped in society, to being an absolute outcast. He was imprisoned enduring harsh, cruel and brutal conditions, and this destroyed his health and, ultimately, led to his early and untimely death.

And my question would have to be ... are these the actions of a "civilised" society?

I love The Picture of Dorian Gray too! In fact, I think of all of his works, it is my favourite.

I also love The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband. And I really like De Profundis, the letter written by Oscar Wilde during his imprisonment in Reading Gaol, to Lord Alfred Douglas. It is so moving and heartfelt.

As to your resolution "If I want it, I'm having it", as you know, I fully support and endorse it!

I have a statement which is the same, and is a slight variation on yours, and that statement is "I am SO worth it!". So my line of thought runs along these lines ... I want it, I deserve it, I am worth it! And yes, like you, I am most definitely having it!